Combining Perennials and Flower Bulbs

Perennials and flower bulbs have one thing in common: they enchant us with their magnificent blooms almost all year long! This makes them excellent for clever combinations.

There's still plenty to discover in the garden during autumn. Nevertheless, it's also the time to prepare for the next gardening season. Between September and November, you plant flower bulbs that are set to bloom next spring. At the same time, this is also the planting season for perennial plants. Why not coordinate your plantings to create a harmonious and complete garden picture?

When combining perennials and flower bulbs, you need to consider the specific needs of each plant. Only group plants together that have similar requirements for their location.

Design considerations also play a role. You should plant the perennials first, as they determine the structure of the bed. For individual perennials, dig a hole deep enough to fully accommodate the root ball. Leave enough space between the plants for them to spread out. You can then plant flower bulbs in these gaps. For the bulbs, you'll need planting holes that are about two to three times as deep as the bulb's diameter. You can also place small groups of bulbs into a larger hole. To prevent waterlogging, mix some sand into the soil. Special planting baskets for flower bulbs can help protect against pests like voles.

Flower bulbs have their main blooming season at different times. Winter aconites and snowdrops pop up very early, while tulips and daffodils show their faces between March and May. Ornamental alliums, however, even bloom into summer. After flowering, flower bulbs keep their foliage for a long time so they can continue to draw strength from it. Once yellowed and withered, they don't look as appealing in the garden, but with a little skill, you can conceal this with perennials!

Perennials, with their growth habit, are excellent for use as a background or underplanting for flower bulbs. If the desired plants absolutely don't have the same soil requirements, try a trick: plant the flower bulbs in pots. You can move these pots anytime and, if necessary, even push them into the background or remove them entirely.

Typical spring flowers like daffodils and tulips pair well with perennials that initially form an understated green frame, then later conceal the yellowing or receding foliage of the bulbs. It's even better if the perennials also bloom after the bulbs have finished, ensuring continuous color in your garden!

Daffodils combine very well with hostas. Both thrive in heavy, nutrient-rich soil.

Tulips are more sensitive to moisture than other flower bulbs. They prefer dry, sunny locations, so they shouldn't be planted next to lush perennials that might require additional watering. Coral bells are a suitable planting partner for them.

Ornamental alliums, on the other hand, grow very tall and are beautifully complemented by foxtail lilies.